New YMCA facility getting a big workout

Membership triples at University Park site

By Jim Carney
Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Friday, Feb 04, 2011

Memberships at the new University Park YMCA have nearly tripled since the move from Canal Square.

The old YMCA closed in December, clearing the way for the move into the new $11 million facility on East Market Street on the Summa Health System campus.

Doug Kohl, president and CEO of the Akron Area YMCA, said individual and family memberships now total around 2,360 — up from 800.

The memberships, Kohl said, represent 4,839 men, women and children.

He said the organization was hoping to reach 2,400 memberships by the end of 2011. The new facility can handle as many as 4,000 memberships.

''We're very excited,'' said Kohl.

The building opened in December for existing members and welcomed others during the first week of January.

The new facility is a partnership with Summa Health System, which contributed about half of the cost of the building at 477 E. Market St.

Summa's outpatient rehabilitation services are now at the new YMCA. The services include outpatient physical and occupational therapy; sports therapy; athletic training; fall prevention and balance; occupational hand therapy; women's health rehab; vestibular therapy; lymphedema therapy and Graston Technique treatment for scars.

The facility's swimming pool — twice the size of the Canal Square pool — opened in December, Kohl said.

''It appears the whole facility is being well received,'' Kohl said.

Of the members of the new YMCA about 810 are employees of Summa, Summa officials said.

''Summa has had a commitment to employee wellness for the past many years, and we are thrilled that hundreds of employees are using the new University Park YMCA on the Summa Akron City Hospital campus,'' said Kyle Klawitter, system vice president of human resources for Summa Health System.

''We know that in order for our staff to take care of patients, they have to take care of themselves,'' Klawitter said.

''Being able to work out before and after work or on breaks is ideal for our nurses, technicians and other clinical and nonclinical staff who want to stay refreshed and energized every day.''

In addition, Klawitter said, ''we also believe that by having a fit and healthy work force, we will set a good example for the patients and families we serve.''

The YMCA hopes to eventually sell its space in the art deco 1931 Canal Square YMCA building on West Center Street.

Along with the Summa contribution to the new facility, other big donors were the Knight Foundation at $3 million, the University Park Alliance at $500,000 and five individuals who contributed $100,000 each.

Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or jcarney@thebeaconjournal.com.